Articles for tag: carbon cycle, curiosity rover, habitability, Mars, palnetary climate

OSIRIS Mars true color

Ancient Mars Had a Carbon Cycle—A Clue to Its Warmer, Wetter Past

April Joy Jovita

A new study suggests that Mars may have once had an active carbon cycle, which could explain why the planet was warmer and wetter billions of years ago. Researchers analyzing data from NASA’s Curiosity rover found evidence of carbonate minerals, indicating that Mars once had a thicker carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere capable of supporting liquid water. ...

an aerial view of a colorfully colored landscape

Signs of Ancient Life? Thick Clay Layers on Mars Could Hold the Answer

Suhail Ahmed

Imagine standing on the rust-colored desert of Mars. The dust swirls around your boots as your gaze falls upon a rugged cliffside layer upon layer of hardened clay, each stratum whispering secrets from billions of years ago. Could these silent bands of rock hold evidence that life once stirred on the Red Planet? Recent findings ...